Anyone who attended Lincoln University of Missouri or visited during homecoming week in the last 30 years has heard that call. It’s what you’d hear all week long during every imaginable event. It would take on the feeling of the call and response during a church service. Someone would tip back their head and joyously yell, “Hooommmeee – Cooomminnng!” Then others in the crowd would repeat it.
Lincoln University (LU) is one of about 100 HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) in the country. Founded in 1866 by the soldiers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries, the school has a rich and storied history. Missouri outlawed teaching blacks to read and write in the years leading up to the American Civil War. But these soldiers had received a basic education once they were allowed to enlist in the Union army and they wanted to share their fortune. Following the war, these soldiers donated parts of their salaries and raised more than $5,000 to start a school for the recently-freed blacks in their state.
LU gained quite a reputation through the years and by the 1920s became known as the "Black Harvard of the Midwest."
Lincoln University (LU) is one of about 100 HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) in the country. Founded in 1866 by the soldiers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries, the school has a rich and storied history. Missouri outlawed teaching blacks to read and write in the years leading up to the American Civil War. But these soldiers had received a basic education once they were allowed to enlist in the Union army and they wanted to share their fortune. Following the war, these soldiers donated parts of their salaries and raised more than $5,000 to start a school for the recently-freed blacks in their state.
LU gained quite a reputation through the years and by the 1920s became known as the "Black Harvard of the Midwest."
Now thoroughly integrated, the school pays homage to its roots each year during its Founders' Day when it remembers the soldiers. And in 2007 the campus unveiled the Soldier’s Monument. This beautiful memorial sits at the center of campus and reminds all who see it of how the school came to be.
So it’s Homecoming Week once again. Sunday night, the campus celebrated with fireworks. Other events happen daily throughout the week and include the coronation of Miss Lincoln University, a parade that draws people from all over and of course the football game. In addition to all this excitement, the Alumni Association is holding its annual convention in conjunction with homecoming. So as the week progresses, Jefferson City should slowly sink under the weight of all the alumni coming to town to reminisce with old friends and remember their college days.
So it’s Homecoming Week once again. Sunday night, the campus celebrated with fireworks. Other events happen daily throughout the week and include the coronation of Miss Lincoln University, a parade that draws people from all over and of course the football game. In addition to all this excitement, the Alumni Association is holding its annual convention in conjunction with homecoming. So as the week progresses, Jefferson City should slowly sink under the weight of all the alumni coming to town to reminisce with old friends and remember their college days.
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